Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast RSS

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ARCHIVED FORECAST - All forecasts expire after 24 hours from the posting date/time.
Issued
Sat, April 25th, 2015 - 7:00AM
Expires
Sun, April 26th, 2015 - 7:00AM
Forecaster
Heather Thamm
Avalanche risk The Bottom Line

Today the avalanche danger is expected to be LOW both in the Alpine and at Treeline.   If winds become calm today be aware of wet loose avalanche activity on Southern and Western aspects in the afternoon. Newly forming windslabs up to 6 € thick could be tender along ridgetops and if triggered could knock you off your feet. Pay attention to changing surface conditions throughout the day and modify your travel plan should either of these conditions become a hazard.

LOW danger does not mean NO danger! Don’t forget to practice safe travel habits. Identify islands of safety, travel one at a time in steep terrain, and always have an escape zone.  

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Sat, April 25th, 2015
Alpine
Above 2,500'
Low (1)
Avalanche risk
Treeline
1,000'-2,500'
Low (1)
Avalanche risk
Below Treeline
Below 1,000'
No Rating (0)
Avalanche risk
Alpine
Above 2,500'
Avalanche risk
Low (1)
Treeline
1,000'-2,500'
Avalanche risk
Low (1)
Below Treeline
Below 1,000'
Avalanche risk
No Rating (0)
Danger Scale:
No Rating (0)
Low (1)
Moderate (2)
Considerable (3)
High (4)
Extreme (5)
Avalanche Problem 1
  • Normal Caution
    Normal Caution
Normal Caution
Normal Caution means triggering an avalanche is unlikely but not impossible.
More info at Avalanche.org

We are in the classic springtime melt-freeze cycle with a generally solid snowpack. Today your focus should be on surface instabilities. Be aware of solar heating on Southern and Western exposures and blowing snow in the Apline. Winds are expected to be 10-20mph from the Northeast along ridgetops; just enough wind to keep the surface snow supportable even if temperatures are well above freezing. If winds exceed 20mph today blowing snow along ridgetops will be a clue that windslabs could be forming.

Wet Avalanches:

A firm melt-freeze crust has formed over the last 3 days on Southern and Western aspects.  At lower elevations where slopes are protected from the wind expect this crust to break down quicker. Wet loose avalanches will be more of a concern near the bottom of steep terrain features on sunny aspects. If you notice your skis or board punching into wet and heavy snow avoid steep terrain features and terrain traps.  Should winds become calm wet loose activity will start around rocks in steep terrain.

Wind slabs:

On shaded aspects up to 10” of snow is available for transport. If winds increase to 30mph be on the lookout for fresh wind slabs forming on leeward features along ridgetops. These windslabs will be small and isolated; unlikely to bury a person, but could cause you to fall if triggered in steep terrain. 

A photo of Common Bowl yesterday on Tincan before the surface crust softened. Notice the rollerballs from the previous day just under the corniced ridge. In the foreground the skin track still has light dry powder snow on a slightly shaded Northern aspect.

 

 

Weather
Sat, April 25th, 2015

Yesterday thin clouds slowly covered the sky throughout the day. Daytime temperatures reached the mid 40s F at lower elevations. In the alpine temperatures reached 30F by midday, but Northeast winds 5-15mph kept the surface snow supportable on sunny aspects. No new precipitation was recorded. Overnight temperatures cooled to mid 20s F along ridgetops.

 Today should be partly cloudy and temperatures will be similar to yesterday. Winds will be 10-20mph from the Northeast and no precipitation is expected.

 Tomorrow expect more of the same, partly cloudy, warm daytime temperatures, and light winds. Sunday evening there is a chance for scattered showers.  

 *For those of you in Anchorage and the Matanuska Valley a  red flag warning remains in affect until 10pm this evening  for increased fire danger due to low humidity.

PRECIPITATION 24-hour data (6am – 6am)

  Temp Avg (F) Snow (in) Water (in) Snow Depth (in)
Center Ridge (1880′) 38   0   0   71  
Summit Lake (1400′) 37   0   0   14  
Alyeska Mid (1700′) 37   0   0   45  

RIDGETOP 24-hour data (6am – 6am)

  Temp Avg (F) Wind Dir Wind Avg (mph) Wind Gust (mph)
Sunburst (3812′) 27   ENE   11   32  
Seattle Ridge (2400′) 28   n/a   18   36  
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Riding Areas
Updated Thu, June 01st, 2023

Status of riding areas across the Chugach NF is managed by the Glacier and Seward Ranger Districts, not avalanche center staff. Riding area information is posted as a public service to our users and updated based on snow depth and snow density to prevent resource damage at trailhead locations. Riding area questions contact: mailroom_r10_chugach@fs.fed.us

Area Status Weather & Riding Conditions
Glacier District
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Closed
Closed May 15.
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Closed
Closed May 15.
Skookum Drainage
Closed
Will close to motorized use on April 1, 2023 per the National Forest Plan.
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Closed
Will close on June 1.
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Closed
Scheduled closure May 1.
Seward District
Carter Lake
Closed
Scheduled closure May 1.
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Scheduled closure May 1.
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Closed
Scheduled closure May 1.
Resurrection Pass Trail
Closed
Closed to motorized use for the 2022/23 winter season per Forest Plan. Open next season.
Snug Harbor
Closed
Extended opening until May 15.
South Fork Snow River Corridor
Closed
Scheduled closure May 1.
Summit Lake
Closed
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This is a general backcountry avalanche advisory issued for Turnagain Arm with Turnagain Pass as the core advisory area. This advisory does not apply to highways, railroads or operating ski areas.